Paint Coverage
Paint & Surface Prep · 8 specs
Direct Answer
One US gallon of architectural paint covers 350 to 400 square feet (32.5–37.2 m²) of smooth, primed drywall at 1.5 mil dry film thickness. One quart covers 85–100 sq ft, while rough unprimed masonry reduces coverage by 20–30% to 250 sq ft per gallon.
Source: Paint and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) / Paint Spread Formulas · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Standards | PDCA Standard Estimating Guidelines / ASTM D2805 |
| 1 US Gallon Coverage (Smooth) | 350 to 400 sq ft (32.5–37.2 m²) at 1.5 mil dry film thickness |
| 1 US Quart Coverage | 85 to 100 sq ft (7.9–9.3 m²) | Small accent walls, powder rooms, furniture |
| 5-Gallon Commercial Pail | 1,750 to 2,000 sq ft (162–186 m²) | Whole-house painting |
| Rough / Textured Surface Loss | Reduces coverage to 250–300 sq ft/gal on unprimed masonry, brick, or stucco |
| Standard Dry Time to Touch | 1 to 2 hours for latex water-based paint (4–6 hours for oil-based) |
| Standard Recoat Interval | 4 hours for latex paint (24 hours for oil-based alkyd paints) |
| Room Paint Formula | ((Perimeter × Height)–Window/Door Deductions (40 sq ft avg)) ÷ 350 = Gallons per coat |
Paint Volume & Square Footage Coverage Matrix
| Surface Area to Paint | Gallons Required (1 Coat) | Gallons Required (2 Coats) | Recommended Can Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bathroom (150 sq ft) | 0.43 gal | 0.86 gal | 1 Gallon can |
| Standard Bedroom (400 sq ft) | 1.14 gal | 2.28 gal | 3 Gallon cans (or 2 gal + 1 qt) |
| Living Room (800 sq ft) | 2.28 gal | 4.57 gal | 5 Gallon bucket (or 5 single gallons) |
| 1,200 sq ft Apartment | 3.42 gal | 6.85 gal | One 5-Gallon bucket + 2 Gallon cans |
| 2,000 sq ft House Interior | 5.71 gal | 11.42 gal | Two 5-Gallon buckets + 2 Gallon cans |